When the warm weather arrives (fragment) When the warm weather arrives, I plant a garden. (sentence)

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1 : Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments A clause is any group of words containing a subject and a predicate and joined together as a unit of thought. 1. A main or independent clause is a clause which can stand on its own as a complete sentence. It is a complete thought by itself. I like candy. Many people go to night school. Mindy told Vinny a lie about his sister. 2. A subordinate or dependent clause is a clause which cannot stand on its own as a complete sentence. It does not contain enough information and does not make sense by itself. A subordinate clause is introduced by a subordinate conjunction. When the warm weather arrives, If you donʼt believe me, 3. Any subordinate clause left to stand alone as a complete sentence is called a sentence fragment. It makes no sense on its own and must be connected to a main clause to become a complete sentence. After you leave (fragment) After you leave, Iʼll do my homework. (sentence) When the warm weather arrives (fragment) When the warm weather arrives, I plant a garden. (sentence) 4. A sentence which contains only one main clause is called a simple sentence. 5. A sentence which contains at least one main clause and one subordinate clause is called a complex sentence. If you leave now, / youʼll never come back. Iʼll call you / when I want you. 6. A sentence which contains at least two main clauses is called a compound sentence. Mr. Smith ate the ice cream, and Mrs. Smith ate the pudding. Donna danced all night, / but no one asked me. Would you like coffee, / or do you prefer tea? It was an awful night; / both kids were sick. Note that main clauses are joined either by a coordinating conjunction (and, but, or, nor, for, yet, so) or by a semicolon (;). 103

2 : Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 1 Underline all main clauses; place parentheses around all subordinate clauses; write Fragment next to all sentence fragments. Note: Keep in mind that a main clause can be part of a complex or compound sentence, or it can stand alone as a simple sentence. Charles and Bill will not go to the ball tonight (unless Mary goes with them.) Until you get here. Fragment 1. It seems as if he is going to be late. 2. Did Jim call Randy? 3. Randy couldnʼt eat because Laura ran crying from the room. 4. If you say so. 5. Jim and John arenʼt speaking to each other. 6. He wanted to attend the conference, but he couldnʼt leave his office. 7. It simply means that it is a hard job to do. 8. That you borrowed from the library. 9. Since you went away. 10. Jim wanted to go, but Randy was afraid. 11. There is no purpose in going if Bill refuses. 12. Itʼs not polite to clap for sacred music, but at a concert itʼs all right. 13. He said that he would do it. 14. Because he built it. 15. After the party ended. 16. Give John the ball. 17. Jim told Randy that it was time to go to bed. 18. Randy said he wasnʼt tired, but he kept yawning. 19. If Randy would go to bed earlier, he wouldnʼt always be so tired. 20. Because of the rain. 104

3 Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 2 Underline all main clauses; place parentheses around all subordinate clauses; write Fragment next to all sentence fragments. Note: Keep in mind that a main clause can be part of a complex or compound sentence, or it can stand alone as a complete sentence. 1. Before the school year started. 2. Everyone must respect anotherʼs rights. 3. Simon ran to the store because Bill had forgotten his money. 4. Since you decided not to go, Iʼm not going. 5. He spoke angrily against his opponent. 6. He seemed not to know what he was talking about. 7. Because Bill forgot his money, Simon had to pay for both tickets. 8. Whenever the winds blow. 9. You simply have to see it for yourself. 10. Something has to be done about this mess. 11. What are you going to do? 12. Why is it that he never answered a single question? 13. It was inspiring. 14. While Jack was whistling, Bill walked off with Janet. 15. You cannot say that. 16. It is not fair to treat him like that. 17. She had nothing to do, but she did not want to go out. 18. It was amazing to see that he had gotten so thin. 19. Whether or not you like it. 20. Certainly, you have a right to your opinion. 21. Whatʼs wrong with being happy? 22. He had a bad cold, and his doctor gave him medicine. 23. He had to promise to stay home, or she would have been very angry. 24. He didnʼt like the look on her face; he knew it was bad news. 25. Itʼs a shame to be so late. 105

4 Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 3 Underline all main clauses; place parentheses around all subordinate clauses; write Fragment next to all sentence fragments. Note: Keep in mind that a main clause can be part of a complex or compound sentence, or it can stand alone as a complete sentence. 1. The movie was about a man with two wives. 2. Both wives threatened to divorce him when they found out about each other. 3. The first wife wanted him to choose between them. 4. He couldnʼt choose because he said he loved them both. 5. As he tried to choose, the first wife kept calling him on the phone. 6. Many, many times, in fact, whenever she called. 7. She invited him to dinner. 8. If he refused, she would cry and whine. 9. The second wife, however, didnʼt pester him at all. 10. She waited patiently as if she knew he would choose her. 11. Time passed, but still he wouldnʼt choose. 12. Finally, he called them both to his apartment. 13. He chose the first wife because she was better company for him. 14. The woman gave a sigh of relief when the two walked out of the room. 15. Bart couldnʼt understand how some people could be so cruel. 16. While he was walking to work, he saw three teenage boys tease an old lady. 17. They threw pebbles at her window, and when she opened it, they all ran away. 18. It was obvious that the old woman was getting nervous and upset. 19. She tried to call the police, but her phone wouldnʼt work. 20. When the boys were tired of taunting her, they began to ring other doorbells and run away. 107

5 Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 4 Underline all main clauses; place parentheses around all subordinate clauses; write Fragment next to all sentence fragments. Note: Keep in mind that a main clause can be part of a complex or compound sentence, or it can stand alone as a complete sentence. 1. Did it ever occur to you that I may want to stay home? 2. When did you leave? 3. Iʼm not sure. 4. Where the books are kept. 5. Look in there if theyʼre not out here. 6. Because it got cold so early, winter seemed much longer this year. 7. I always laugh when a person gets hit in the face with a pie. 8. Iʼd like a glass of whatever youʼre having. 9. If you finished the car, you may cut the lawn. 10. If you go. 11. You said it. 12. I canʼt hear unless you speak louder. 13. Will you lend me your car if I wash and wax it? 14. If you see him. 15. Iʼm not going unless Ken goes. 16. Do you know where she is? 17. While you were away, this package arrived. 18. What is wrong with wanting a lot of money? 19. Why are you acting like this? 20. Weʼll take care of the baby until you get back. 108

6 : Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 1 1. It seems (as if he is going to be late.) 2. Did Jim call Randy? 3. Randy couldnʼt eat (because Laura ran crying from the room.) 4. If you say so. FRAGMENT 5. Jim and John arenʼt speaking to each other. 6. He wanted to attend the conference, but he couldn't leave his office. 7. It simply means (that it is a hard job to do.) 8. That you borrowed from the library. FRAGMENT 9. Since you went away. FRAGMENT 10. Jim wanted to go, but Randy was afraid. 11. There is no purpose in going (if Bill refuses.) 12. Itʼs not polite to clap for sacred music, but at a concert itʼs all right. 13. He said (that he would do it.) 14. Because he built it. FRAGMENT 15. After the party ended. FRAGMENT 16. Give John the ball. 17. Jim told Randy (that it was time to go to bed.) 18. Randy said he wasnʼt tired, but he kept yawning. Answer Key 19. (If Randy would go to bed earlier,) he wouldnʼt always be so tired. 20. Because of the rain. FRAGMENT 149

7 Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 2 1. Before the school year started. FRAGMENT 2. Everyone must respect anotherʼs rights. 3. Simon ran to the store (because Bill had forgotten his money.) 4. (Since you decided not to go,) Iʼm not going. 5. He spoke angrily against his opponent. 6. He seemed not to know (what he was talking about.) 7. (Because Bill forgot his money,) Simon had to pay for both tickets. 8. Whenever the winds blow. FRAGMENT 9. You simply have to see it for yourself. 10. Something has to be done about this mess. 11. What are you going to do? 12. Why is it (that he never answered a single question?) 13. It was inspiring. 14. (While Jack was whistling,) Bill walked off with Janet. 15. You cannot say that. 16. It is not fair to treat him like that. 17. She had nothing to do, but she did not want to go out. 18. It was amazing to see (that he had gotten so thin.) 19. Whether or not you like it. FRAGMENT 20. Certainly, you have a right to your opinion. 21. Whatʼs wrong with being happy? 22. He had a bad cold, and his doctor gave him medicine. 23. He had to promise to stay home, or she would have been very angry. 24. He didnʼt like the look on her face; he knew it was bad news. 25. Itʼs a shame to be so late. Answer Key

8 Clauses, Sentences and Fragments Practice 3 1. The movie was about a man with two wives. 2. Both wives threatened to divorce him (when they found out about each other.) 3. The first wife wanted him to choose between them. 4. He couldnʼt choose (because he said he loved them both.) 5. (As he tried to choose,) the first wife kept calling him on the phone. 6. Many, many times, in fact, whenever she called. FRAGMENT 7. She invited him to dinner. 8. (If he refused,) she would cry and whine. 9. The second wife, however, didnʼt pester him at all. 10. She waited patiently (as if she knew he would choose her.) 11. Time passed, but still he wouldnʼt choose. 12. Finally, he called them both to his apartment. 13. He chose the first wife (because she was better company for him.) 14. The woman gave a sigh of relief (when the two walked out of the room.) 15. Bart couldnʼt understand (how some people could be so cruel.) 16. (While he was walking to work,) he saw three teenage boys tease an old lady. 17. They threw pebbles at her window, and (when she opened it,) they all ran away. 18. It was obvious (that the old woman was getting nervous and upset.) 19. She tried to call the police, but her phone wouldnʼt work. Answer Key 20. (When the boys were tired of taunting her,) they began to ring other doorbells and run away. 151

9 Clauses, Sentences, and Fragments Practice 4 1. Did it ever occur to you (that I may want to stay home?) 2. When did you leave? 3. Iʼm not sure. 4. Where the books are kept. FRAGMENT 5. Look in there (if theyʼre not out here.) 6. (Because it got cold so early,) winter seemed much longer this year. 7. I always laugh (when a person gets hit in the face with a pie.) 8. Iʼd like a glass (of whatever youʼre having.) 9. (If you finished the car,) you may cut the lawn. 10. If you go. FRAGMENT 11. You said it. 12. I canʼt hear (unless you speak louder.) 13. Will you lend me your car (if I wash and wax it?) 14. If you see him. FRAGMENT 15. Iʼm not going (unless Ken goes.) 16. Do you know (where she is?) 17. (While you were away,) this package arrived. 18. What is wrong with wanting a lot of money? 19. Why are you acting like this? Answer Key 20. Weʼll take care of the baby (until you get back.) 152